5 Unique Ways to Engage Your MilKids in Family Volunteer Day

The military community knows all about service. From the millions of troops who raised their hand to serve this nation to military spouses volunteering on and off base, today’s military families demonstrate a knack for giving back. This Saturday, Americans have an opportunity to rally their own households to support veterans through Family Volunteer Day. Plus, it makes a great springboard for showing military kids the true meaning of the holidays.

What is Family Volunteer Day?

Family Volunteer Day—powered by generationOn and sponsored by The Walt Disney Company, is a global day of service that celebrates the power of families who work together to support their communities and neighborhoods. It occurs annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and provides families with opportunities to experience the benefits of service to others. By encouraging family involvement, parents instill in their children the spirit of giving, supporting their neighbors and improving their communities. Families can volunteer through local service projects in their own neighborhoods or download DIY projects, which can be found on the Family Volunteer Day page.

generationOn is the youth and family division of Points of Light, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service. We make it simple and easy to get involved regardless of how much time you have to offer and where you are located. We meet kids and teens where they are, helping them to use their interests to identify areas of need in their community and use their skills to become engaged in volunteering, which helps develop critical-thinking, collaboration, communication and more.

Family Volunteer Day is this Saturday. How will you get your family involved?

Here are five ways to incorporate deployed service members and local veterans into Family Volunteer Day:

Lots of servicemen and women are deployed around the world. Unfortunately, they’re often in scorching deserts or freezing mountain ranges, making it hard to get in holiday spirit. Help them feel the joy of the holidays by sending care packages full of holiday goodies!

This project was created by 2014 Hasbro Community Action Hero, My’Kah Knowlin. My’Kah filled boxes with items servicemen and women could use while overseas, like puzzles, snacks and calling cards—in addition to handwritten notes—and sent them to Marines in Afghanistan.

There are 5.5 million veterans in the United States with disabilities – both physical and mental. Your family can show their appreciation to the veterans who serve our country by creating Patriotic Placemats and “thank you for your service” cards to deliver on a visit to local veterans!

Veterans and service members have done a lot for our country; it’s our turn to applaud their efforts and show signs of appreciation. Help your community organize a dinner for local servicemen, servicewomen and veterans to show them support and gratitude.

Seniors who receive Meals On Wheels, or live in nursing homes or retirement homes, and veterans living in hospitals, homes or shelters, love to be remembered during the holidays. Surprise seniors and veterans during the holidays with a stocking surprise!

What ideas do you have to get your family involved this Saturday? To sign up to participate in the global day of service visit generationOn.